Window actuator



Oct. 23, 1956 R. H. HUMMERT 2,767,979

wmnow ACTUATOR Filed April 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 4- I IN VEN TOR.

m 5 ROBERT h. HUMMEQT Oct 23, 1956 R. H. HUMMERT WINDOW ACTUATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 20, 1953 sis ' INVENTOR. v 63697 #0414456? United States Patent WINDOW ACTUATOR Robert H. Hummert, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Standard- Thomson Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application April 20, 1953, Serial No. 349,670

1 Claim. (Cl. 268-105) This invention relates to a window actuator and more particularly to an actuator for use with a projected type of window, of which one end or one side of the window opens outwardly, although not necessarily so limited, in that it may also be used with windows of other types.

This invention relates to the subject matter of my copending application, Serial No. 176,729, filed July 29, 1950, now Patent Number 2,674,452.

An object of this invention is to provide a window actuator assembly which may be atached to windows of various sizes and to windows having various types of movement.

Another object of this invention is to provide a window actuator by which the position of a window sash may be readily and easily adjusted.

Another object of this invention is to provide a window actuator which may be easily and simply attached to any of a variety of windows.

Another object of this invention is to provide a window actuator which firmly positions a window in any position to which it is adjusted.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a window actuator which automatically locks the window when the window is in any adjusted position.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a perspective view of a window frame and sash with the sash retained in an open position by means of the Window actuator of this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the window frame and window sash unit disclosed in Figure 1, further showing the attachment of a portion of the window actuator.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top view of the gear assembly adjusting means of the window actuator.

Figure 4 is a bottom fragmentary view showing the attachment of an actuator arm to a guide member.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a window sill having the arm members and the adjusting device of the window actuator.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another type of window with which the invention may be used.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view, with an end in section, of the window sash and frame of Figure 7, with the window in the closed position.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary, perspective view, with an end in section, of the window sash of Figure 8 in an open position.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary, perspective view, with an end in section, of a modification of the Window sash shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Reference numeral 10 refers to a conventional window frame adapted to receive a conventional window sash 12, having a window pane 13. A gear housing 14 is attached to a window sill 15. The frame 10 has a jamb 16, the lower portion of which is provided with a recess 18 which is adapted to receive a pair of actuator arms 20, as best shown in Figure 6. The arms 20 are formed integrally with arcuate gears 22 and 24, as shown in Figure 3. The end of each arm 20 is provided with a stud 26 rigidly attached to the end of the arm, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 The studs 26 are adapted to move longitudinally within an elongate metallic guide member 28 which is attached to the window sash 12 by a plurality of hinges 32. The guide member 28 is pro vided with an internal channel 30 open at the bottom, as clearly shown in Figure 5. One-half of each hinge 32 is rigidly attached to the guide member 28 by any suitable means, such as by spot welding. The other half of each hinge 32 is firmly attached to the lower portion of the window sash 12. The hinges 32 permit angular change of the window sash 12 with respect to the frame 10.

As the window sash 12 moves outwardly, the lower portion of the sash remains at the same height. However, the upper part of the Window sash becomes lower. Thus, the angular position of the window sash with respect to the window frame is changed, and the hinges 32 permit this angular change without creation of binding or twisting of the studs 26 within the channel guide 28. A pin 34 attaches the halves of the hinge 32 one to the other. By removing the pins 34, the sash may be detached from the guide member 28, which permits adjustment of the sash into a horizontal position to permit washing thereof from the inside of the building. The gears 22 and 24 are actuated by means of a crank 36 having a rotatable handle 38.

A worm gear 40, which engages the teeth of the gear 22, is provided with a handle 36. The gear 22 is thereby actuated by the worm gear 40 and thereby actuates gear 24. The teeth of gear 24 mesh with the teeth of the gear 22, as clearly shown in Figure 3. The crank 36 and its handle 38 are angularly disposed from the gear housing 14, providing convenient means to manually control the window actuator without the possibility of interference with the window sill 15. The upper portions of the sides of the window sash 12 are provided with studs (not shown) similar to the studs 26 on the ends of the arms 20. These studs on the upper portions of the window sash 12 are adapted to move longitudinally within the channels of guides 42 mounted in the upper portions of the window frame 10. The channel guides 42, cooperating with the studs mounted on the window sash, provide additional guide means for movement of the window sash and aid in the proper positioning of the window frame 12.

A brace member 44 is pivotally attached to each side of the window frame 10 and to each side of the window sash 12, providing additional support for the window sash in any adjusted position.

As disclosed in Figure 2, the pins 34 may be removed from the hinges 32, allowing the window frame 12 to be positioned horizontally. Each channel guide 42 is open at its lower end allowing the stud mounted on the Window sash 12 to slide through and out of the channel guide 42, permitting the window sash 12 to be positioned horizontally for full ventilation or for washing both sides of the window panes from the inside of the room.

As above described, when the crank member 36 is rotated, the gears 22 and 24 are actuated. Due to the fact that the arms 20 are integral with the gears 22 and 24, the ends of the arms 20 are moved towards each other as the window opens. When the window frame 12 is positioned at its extreme outward position by means of the arms 20, the arms 20 are substantially parallel to and adjacent each other. As the window is moved toward its closed position, the arms 20 diverge. The diverging angle becomes greater and greater, and when the window has reached the closed position, the arms 20 are in a straight line, or in other words, 180 degrees from each other. When the window is in any position, it is effectively locked in that position, due to locking effect of the worm gear 40, which does not permit movement of the sash 12 without rotation of the crank 36.

As shown in Figure 4, the studs 26 are free to move within the channel of the guide member 28 as the arms are angularly moved. It may be understood that the positioning of the window frame 12 is a simple and easy operation, and that the window is firmly retained in any adjusted position.

The window actuator of this invention may be used with and attached to any type of window which projects outwardly to open.

Figures 7, 8, 9 and disclose the use of the window actuator of this .invention used with a type of window which has the sash and frame formed of elongate Z- shaped members. A Z-shaped window sash 50 is attached by means of a hinge 52, having a pin 53, to a channel guide 54. The hinge 52 and the channel guide 54 are similar to the hinge 54 and channel guide 28 shown in the other figures. Actuating arms 56 are attached to the channel guide 54 by means of studs 58. Gear housing 60 is attached to a window frame 62 by means of bolts 64 or by some other suitable means.

When the window is in the closed position as shown in Figure 8, the channel guide 54, the studs 58 and the actuating arms 56 are housed between the frame 52 and the sash 50. When the window is in an open position, the actuating arms 56 retain the lower portion of the window sash 50 in a projected position, as shown in Figures 7 and 9. Due to the fact that the arms 56 are always horizontal, the upper portion of the window sash 50 moves downwardly as the lower part of the window sash moves outwardly. Therefore, a window position is easily available which permits good ventilating conditions. Furthermore, each side of a window pane is easily accessible for washing.

Figure 10 shows a modification of the Window sash of the type disclosed in Figures 8 and 9. A window sash 70 has a vertical window panel engaging portion 72 which has a lower rib 74 which extends below the pin 53 and the hinge S2. The lower rib 74 offers protection to the pin 53 and the hinge 52 against the access of moisture which may flow downwardly along the panel engaging portion 72.

The window actuator mechanism disclosed in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 functions substantially as that disclosed in the preceding figures.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In a window frame and projected type sash assembly including a window sash actuator, a window frame and window sash comprising elongate Z-shaped members, an elongate channel guide, a plurality of hinge halves attached thereto, a plurality of complementary hinge halves attached to the window sash, removable pin means attaching the complementary hinge halves one to the other, a gear assembly attached to the window frame, the gear assembly including a pair of arcuate gear portions in meshed relation one with the other, a worm gear in meshed relation with one of the arcuate gear portions, an arm member integrally attached to the peripheral surface of each of the arcuate gear portions, and a stud rigidly attached at the end of each arm member, each stud having a button portion at the end thereof slidably retained within the channel guide, the Z-shaped members of the sash and frame having a straight body portion with leg portions substantially normal thereto, the Z-shaped members of the sash and frame being similar in shape and size having the body portions thereof in spaced apart relation when the window is in the closed position to provide an enclosed recess for the arm members and channel guide when the window is in the closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,681,798 Carrier Aug. 21, 1928 2,013,608 Jacobs Sept. 3, 1935 2,022,036 Haberstump Nov. 26, .1935

2,674,452 Hummert Apr. 6, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 12,397 Great Britain Sept. 30, 1886 

